Phoenix & Glendale Uber and Lyft Injury Attorneys
With so many alternative modes of car transportation now available, personal injury law regarding car accidents has become increasingly complex. If you are injured while riding in a Lyft or Uber vehicle, or if you are involved in a collision with a shared-ride car, it is important to understand what legal recourse is available to you. Because personal injury law varies from state to state, it is essential that you consult with an attorney who has up-to-date legal knowledge about the state you live in. If you reside in Arizona, you are fortunate to have the skilled team of Arizona Lawyers available to you. We have a well-deserved reputation for giving each of our clients individual attention as well as excellent legal counsel. Also, remember that we work on a contingency basis, so you will be charged no attorneys’ fees unless we win damages for you.
Why People Use Uber and Lyft Vehicles
Lyft and Uber vehicles have become popular for a number of reasons, including that they:
- Respond almost instantly and arrive promptly at your precise location
- Are less expensive to use than taxis
- Tend to be cleaner and more comfortable than taxis because they are personal vehicles
- Can be paid for through an app so you needn’t have cash with you
- Can be watched on your screen device in real time
- Have more courteous, accommodating drivers than taxis because each passenger rates them at the end of the ride and this rating is a matter of public record
In spite of their many advantages, accidents happen in shared-ride vehicles just as they do in all cars. Because of the ambiguities that exist when you use this relatively new form of transportation, it is crucial that you seek professional legal advice if you are injured in an accident involving a Lyft or an Uber.
Whose insurance covers a Lyft or Uber accident?
The answer to this question is not a simple one. First of all, Arizona is a state that assigns comparative negligence in cases of personal injury. This means that the court may find that the driver of the Uber or Lyft and the driver of the other vehicle each bear partial responsibility for the injuries incurred. Although the Uber or Lyft driver typically owns the car he or she is driving, the company also bears some responsibility for the behavior of the drivers it has vetted. This means that although Uber or Lyft drivers are considered self-employed, the company may also be liable if the personal injury liability exceeds the amount of insurance the driver is required to carry.
Both Lyft and Uber require their drivers to be well-insured privately, but the companies themselves also carry $1 million worth of insurance for passenger or driver injuries. It should be noted, however, that this $1 million policy is only in play when the driver’s app is active (that is when he or she is working as a driver under the company’s auspices), and then only after the driver’s own insurance benefits have been exhausted.
Because the issues of insurance and liability are more complicated if you’re injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it is important that you contact attorneys experienced with such matters, like those at Arizona Lawyers. Drivers for rideshare companies are designated as independent contractors, rather than employees, so the companies are not technically responsible for their actions. This loophole has been used by rideshare companies to try to deny any liability for the actions of their drivers. Though this can make it more challenging to receive the monies you are legitimately owed, with our savvy personal injury attorneys on your side, you have the very best chance of obtaining all the compensation you’re entitled to.
Serious Injuries Suffered in Uber or Lyft Accidents
Even though Uber and Lyft drivers tend to be careful, not only out of safety concerns, but out of pragmatic financial ones, accidents can, and do, occur in these vehicles. The same injuries can affect passengers or drivers as in other car accidents. While minor fender benders may result in only cuts and bruises, more serious accidents can cause:
- Head Injuries (skull fractures, concussions, traumatic brain injuries)
- Whiplash or other neck and back injuries
- Bone fractures
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
In worst case scenarios, injuries can be catastrophic, resulting in paralysis, amputation, brain damage, loss of vision or hearing, or wrongful death. The medical costs in such cases, not to mention the other resulting expenses, can be astronomical. This is why you need an experienced personal injury attorney to fight for your rights to ensure that you obtain the damages you deserve.
Passengers Play a Part in Personal Injuries Too So Buckle Up!
According to a recent report in the Chicago Tribune, passengers who don’t buckle up in the back of their Lyft or Uber are eight times more likely to die from a traffic fatality than those who take this simple precaution. It is, therefore, mystifying why private passengers buckle up at a rate of 87 percent, while those who take shared-ride vehicles wear their seat belts only 65 percent of the time. Don’t be on the wrong side of these statistics!
Damages You May Recover as the Victim of an Uber or Lyft Accident
There are two primary types of damages awarded for personal injuries in Arizona: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are designed to reimburse victims for actual costs, including medical, surgical and rehabilitative expenses, lost wages (present and future), healthcare for permanent disability, and any property damage incurred. Non-economic damages, on the other hand are meant to compensate victims for such intangibles as physical pain, mental anguish, loss of consortium (ability to provide affection or companionship as previously), and loss of quality of life. If one of the drivers acted with extreme recklessness or malice, punitive damages may also be awarded. There is no cap on personal injury damages in Arizona.
Statute of Limitations for Filing Personal Injury Claims in Arizona
There is a 2-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Arizona. In most cases, the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident. It is always in your best interest to contact Blischak attorneys promptly since, if we are unable to reach a reasonable settlement with the responsible parties and have to proceed to litigation, the process is quite time-consuming.
Why Arizona Lawyers Is the Right Choice
We know how quickly life can change when you are seriously injured in a Lyft or Uber accident.
Within an instant, you may be faced with medical crises and emotional trauma. Soon after, the reality of financial pressures kicks in and you are completely overwhelmed. This is the time you should turn to us. Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge about the intricacies of cases like yours. We will be able to calm your fears and take over your legal and insurance challenges. You can reach us by phone or by filling out one the contact forms on our website. We look forward to taking over logistical matters so that you can relax and focus on resting and recovering.